Author: Christine

There are some themes, as a Christian, that sit well, that cause you to wonder, ponder. When I think of Jesus as the Living Water, I faithfully believe He is Life, just as water to us humans is life. I remember a time in my life where I had physical water and my thirst was quenched, especially on a hot day or after a rigorous basketball practice. But when I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, He became Living Water to me. He quenched the desert of my soul and filled me with the Holy Spirit. The spiritual water I now desire is pleasing, calming, life giving, life sustaining water. I give thanks for the verse in John 4:13-14, “Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Babbling brook. Serene lake. Roaming river. Vast ocean. Many people are drawn to water. Its peaceful, calming affect. Away from busy life. I enjoy sitting beside those still waters. It frees my mind. Puts things in perspective as I look out at its vastness. But what about when life’s storms hit, the rivers rage? Are we still able to find that peace? If your faith is in the water, probably not. But if your faith is in the One who commands the water, then your faith is secure. Peace and calm in life’s storms are possible when we sit and meditate in the arms of Jesus, the One in whom even the wind and waves obey.

So, while today’s blog is about water, again, it is because when I see water, I see Jesus. I see His love in His creation. For the salvation He provided to all mankind if one would humble himself and drink of the water Jesus freely offers.

Reading the comics. Donuts for breakfast. Yard work. Who says you can’t go home again! Visiting as an adult, it is easy to slip back into some childhood routines while also helping out and doing physical labor to help out family members.

If we reflect on our Christian walk, what are some childhood routines you remember? Sunday school class and crafts, VBS week in the summer, going to church with family or part of a bus ministry, nightly prayers with a parent. What if you slipped back into some of these childhood routines but also added some new adult ones, as well. Daily Devotional time. Reading your bible. Reach out to your pastor and ask about ministry opportunities. The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Maybe you have wandered away but you feel as though God is calling you back. Take the first step of faith back into the fold. As an adult, it may not be exactly as you remember but you’ll be glad you did. And… you will be welcomed with open arms.

I was recently backing the car out of the drive when doubts came. Did you lock the door? Blow out the candle? Unsure, I put the car in park, went back in, checked on things and got back in my car. Everything was fine but the doubts crept in, causing me to stop.

We all have doubts: Did I say the right thing? Was that a good purchase? Did I turn off the coffee pot? Did I blow out the candle? But if we are leaning into God’s word, looking to follow His ways and trust His lead, we can fight this fleshly attitude. Of course, we want to honor God in all of our attitudes and walk humbly after Him. So many faithful in the Bible had doubts: Abraham, Naomi, David, Habakkuk so you are in good company. But they didn’t stay there. They remembered the character of God. He is eternal, holy, sovereign, faithful, trustworthy, kind, love.

When doubts start creeping in, don’t allow them to have a foothold. Turn them away with the truth of God’s word. Remind yourself, like Habakkuk did, of who God is and allow His words to fill your heart, strengthen your walk and allow yourself to withstand the arrows of Satan, like the arrow of doubt.

Habakkuk 1:12 “O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal— surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins. But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil.”

Habakkuk 3:18-19a “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength!”

In today’s world, as people take matters into their own hands, are self-sufficient, relying on their own ingenuity and know-how, is God in their purview? When troubles arise, are they able to comfort themselves?

I was challenged this morning, after reading a devotion by Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter, Rachel Ruth Lotz Wright. Do I call upon the name of the Lord? When things are going well do I give thanks to Him? When difficulties arise, am I able to still praise Him, even when I don’t understand? When I can’t see where He is leading, do I still call upon the name of the Lord and follow in faith? Can I say like David, “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”? (Psalm 18:1-3)

I pray as we all go through our day, every day, that we will “Call upon the name of the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!” Psalm 18:3

I’m sorry, what did you say? You want me to do what? Long, long pause before answering. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy. Saying “no” would have been the easy answer, but I said, “Yes.” Yes, I am available. Yes, I can be part of you women’s conference… as a presenter!

As soon as I hung up the phone, Satan went on the offensive. “You are not qualified. You only speak in front of children. What do you have to say that has any merit?” Satan knows my doubts and knows what to say to me.

But God! He is who I choose to believe. He is equipping my heart and mind with His truths. Every day now, for two weeks, in one form or another, He has given me His word, stories, devotions, family to highlight my topic that I will be presenting. He is there with me, giving me the words, the stories, the activities I want to use.

Saying “Yes!” was hard. Speaking in front of adults is scary. But as I pray and ask for Him to lead, my doubts begin to fade as God reassures me, “He’s got this!”

As a child, I grew up in the northern part of the country. As seasons changed, I looked forward to each season and the activities associated with it. Of course, it also involved work and tasks. As a Christian, as I grow in my faith, I am learning that we, too, go through seasons. Seasons of joy. Seasons of challenge. Seasons of grief. Season of waiting. How do we get through those seasons, both wonderful and challenging? Like a gardener who uses his/her tools: water, sunlight, soil, nutrients to nurture growth, we too have tools to weather these seasons: pray, read God’s word, worship.

When we are waiting on test results from the doctor. When we are anxiously awaiting news of a job offer in a season of unemployment. When we are mourning the death of a loved one. These weak and weary season are difficult. Even when words fail you, as you cry out to God, remind yourself that God is present. He loves and cares for you. He is eternal. He is holy. He is sovereign over the whole earth.

So, while you wait, while you grieve, while you seek, allow God to comfort your weak and weary soul. Breathe in. Breathe out. Steady your hands. Focus your thoughts on Him, not allowing your mind to be filled with doubts and fears. Turn on the worship music and as you sit in the quiet, allow the Holy Spirit to embrace every part of your being and pray.

Empty: containing nothing; not filled or occupied. (New Oxford American Dictionary)

Driving on a long trip, we are careful, not allowing our tank to get near empty. The delicious snack bowl enjoyed, now empty. The house, emptied of its contents, ready for the move.

Many ways to look at “empty.” But empty can be a good thing. To the Christian, it is the best news. An empty grave. Containing nothing. Not occupied. Jesus is not there. He has conquered death and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. We serve a risen Savior. He is alive, preparing a place for us where we will praise and worship Him forever.

“The cross represents doom for sin and hope for sinners. It condemns sin and cleanses souls. The cross is where Jesus was crucified in our place and where Christ brings resurrection life to mankind. The bloodstained cross is gruesome to some, but the empty cross is full of hope.” Billy Graham

Celebrating Christmas just a few months ago, remembering the birth of Jesus. The virgin birth, the angels rejoicing, the shepherds being notified. The love of God in human flesh. Fully man and fully God. A Babe on a mission. To save those in need of saving. Me. You. Them. Separation from God. Restoration in our relationship is possible. God’s Divine plan in motion. Jesus lived a perfect life. Was in all points tempted yet never sinned. He gets us.

On this Good Friday, I pray you reflect on Jesus and this great act of love for you poured out at the cross. The gravity of that moment was not lost on me. Praise God He opened my eyes and I cried out to Jesus, “Save me! I repent. I love you. I want You, Jesus.” And in that moment, I became a child of God. The searching, the questioning, the listening all came to a head. And in a single moment, I had a decision to make. If not Him, if not Jesus then my destiny for all eternity would have a different path. Thank you, Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Planning a trip? Make preparations. Preparing for the arrival of a loved one or a new baby? Make preparations. Getting ready to move? Make preparations. When planned events happen in our lives, we make preparations. We make lists, do research, plan an itinerary. We don’t sit idly by or we won’t be ready.

This week is Holy Week. Those of you celebrating Lent look forward to the end of your 40 day fast. Others enjoy the church services this week focused on Jesus and His final week. No matter the day. No matter the season. No matter the upcoming holiday. As Christians, are we making preparations? For the coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Is our eternal destination secured? Have we unpacked and laid our burdens and sins at the cross? Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Have we followed the itinerary already ordained by God through Jesus as the only way? John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have we done our research by reading scripture, seeing that we don’t have to “do” anything? Jesus has done it all! Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We spend a lifetime making preparations. What about in the life to come? I pray that we all examine our hearts, 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” looking to Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and decide today to follow Him.

Wowzer! Growing vegetables is not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It takes intentionality, research, determination, physical stamina and heart. I am in no way a gardener. I have tried and failed several times. Why now? My son and daughter-in-law have knowledge and find joy in gardening and it has become infectious. So here I am again, willing to try. Same seeds, more knowledge. More time and a willingness to learn.

How similar is our Christian walk. We come to Christ, to the cross, with nothing. We have laid our sins at His feet and in faith we take a step, then two, then three and so on into our new life in Christ. It takes intentionality, determination, knowledge of our Savior, and a redeemed heart in your walk. As a new Christian, I didn’t know much but I had a willingness to learn. My eyes were opened slowly. Jesus knew what my immature heart could consume, digest and hold onto. Years later, as I have matured in the faith, scriptures become more accessible as I learn how to retrieve them. Yet, I am not satisfied. I continue to want to know more. More of my Savior. More of the Bible and how God’s redemptive plan plays out in this 21st century.

This walk has not been easy. There have been droughts, storms, and periods of growth. Yet through it all, I said “Yes” to Jesus. Even when I didn’t understand. Even when I lost friends. Even when the world around me swirled. I allowed God’s word to drown out my worries, my anxieties, and the noise of the world. Like my plants that are growing under the care of me, the gardener, so too, do we as Christians grow under the watchful care of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him,  being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”